The latest Entry Ever

Please forgive me for the lateness of this blog and complete vagueness and for my horrible spelling.

Over the past weeks what sticks out in my mind is over consumption of sushi and seeing nearly ever movie in the theater.

I'm talking about at times sushi more than 2 times a week... I was practically a sushi critic... and movies... I don't regret seeing all the movies except for the lack of extra money in my wallet...

Also in this huge empty time period I remember almost nothing about... I had to pay for my upcoming rotary trip... and anyone who knows me should know I lose everything. During this time period I lost my wallet, my camera and my mp3 player, maybe not the best of news... and in the same week along with some of my rotary money. I could barely tell my mom... however in time the wallet was found in my friend's car and after accepting my camera fateful disappearance it was also found. Rotary money I found immediately after dropping it in the movie theater. MP3 player... you will be missed.

School literally was a dream. I was lucky to leave for my rotary trip right before many final exams and such... and the excitement before the trip was nearl unbearable....

Thank you everyone for your patience... and don't worry I'm still alive... and having a great time.

Calpan

Watching the sunrise

The group on the tractor

Corn Stalk meet Machete

Magarito

The Room where we slept

Food Express

The Rural Experience "Classico de Magarito"

This blog is beyond overdue. I apologize for those who anxiously await my emails.

I recently lived in a rural Mexican community for about a week as a school trip. Calpan was the town my group was placed, about an hour away from Puebla.

The idea behind the whole experience was this was a reality check. We would go and live in this rural community sleeping every night on the floor, with limited showers, working in the field or typical rural jobs and gain something more in the end.

the first day we stopped at a public school who was working on planting trees. First we shifted soil, moved soil, and packed soil into small bags where they would later plant trees. We also were taken to just about the middle of no where except for the small dirt road. There was a typical field of wheat or some plaant very similar. In the field were planted small pine trees. Our task was to open the area around the pine trees so they could grow. The first day passed very slowly. Later in the afternoon we were given our town placements and we loaded our suitcases to be taken. Since the towns were not too far away we were to walk. We started walking and told we were going the wrong way, we walked the other way which was the wrong way, there were only two ways to go. This repeated I'm serious at least 6 six times. In the end both ways led to Calpan. I was taken aback when something happened that we would call dangerous in the United States. As cars passed the other students started hitch hiking, I don't think anyone walked all the way. I was in awe of the interest people showed in the country rather than in city. In short we arrived late in the afternoon, set up our sleeping arrangements and then relaxed.

In Calpan there were about 40 students and we were all sectioned into groups of 5 or more. My group consisted of all girls however I knew they all very well and we had a great time. Each group was assigned sort of to a family to help out with daily work and whatever they needed. My group was assigned to a kind man named Magarito. The first day we met Magarito, it was odd. He showed up on his tractor to take us to work, work we were unknowingly given. Well the 20 minute ride to work the first day was unexpected. We all fit onto the tractor sitting on the wheel coverings, we were all a little scared. We arrived at our "job" which was a field in the middle of no where. We were each given a machete and taught how to hand cut stocks of corn and put them in piles. None of us were mentally prepared for the first day of work. As soon as I started chopping my hands began to hurt. We had before us this huge field of corn and were not told how much to cut or for how long. As the morning progressed we became more tired, more corn was cut and our hands ached more. The machetes were a little more than scrap metal formed and sharpened. We were told to be careful. Howeverr one of the girls in our group within the first hours knicked her ankle. Everyone over the course of the week cut fingers either by machete or the sharp leaves of the corn stock. By the end of the week I could barely bend my right hand, it was blistered and those blistered broken and bleeding. All the days we worked from around 10 am to 4 pm. The work was like no work I had done before. One day, on a day we worked the whole day Magarito surprised us with hot food from his wife. It included hot tortillas, eggs and beans. The days of work soon passed faster as we were mentally prepared. By the end of the week in Calpan Magarito was famous amoung our group. Magarito didn't say much, actually almost nothing at all however everyone loved him. Also the last day, the day which we left we went to Magarito's house for lunch. Where we met most of his family. We helped prepare to lunch which was most delicious. We ate... well here;s the problem I can't remember the name. But pretty much it is a hand made tortilla with either cheese, potatoes, chicken or soemthing in the middle it is then fried and on top you can put salsa, more cheese or sour cream. I ate these numerous times on the street in Calpan but the ones at Magarito's house were by far the best. On the last day with Magarito I wanted to give him something and I had brought NY maple syrup but it was misplaced so all I could give him was on of my rotary pins. Being a man of few words he said nothing. There goes the working part.

After we retuned from work around 4 pm we had free time mostly for the rest of the night. There were a few small convience stores, a restraunt, a hotel and my friend's favorite a food express. The foo express was a small building with only a refrigerator and a stove. They served coffee and eggs with tortillas in the morning and later on shrimp and fish burgers as well as sodas and beer. My group of friends and I spent most of our time there. Also it had a great few of the volcanoe and the sunset. In the evenings we ate and jsut passed the time. One night everyone, I mean everyone almost all 40 students went to the local restraunt to watch the futbol match. Another night our friends who weren't on the rural experience or had gone the week before came and brought us pizza and passed some time with us. One of the last nights we had a campfire with marshmellows and one of the teacher's talked about the "Experience."

One of my favorite parts of the whole experience was what happened before anyone else was awake. Two mornings I wactched the sunrise. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful things you can do. The first morning it was just my friend Mariana, Sarah and me sitting on a stone wall that surround the church where we were staying. The next morning the entire group of my friends got up to watch the sunrise however this time from the top of the church. It was us: Brenda, Mariana Mas, Mariana Salgado, Fer, Sarah, Ozge and me. The mornings in rural Mexico are cruel with a temperature of around 30 degrees or less. We were all shivering but we spent at least an hour watching the sun climb into the sky. It was one of the most sincere and beautiful things I've ever done.

Rural Mexico reminded me a lot of Cooperstown. They were probably about the same size give or take. It was safe. There was no way to get lost and it was beautiful. There were no rushing cars or mass amounts of people. No car horns honking, to fading sirens.

I'm not saying the whole experience wasn't great, I just want to say there were a lot of things people missed. I don't think anyone from my school will drastically change there way of life after the rural experience. It was just something they did once for school. I really wanted to interact with the people. We were supposed to have projects but those soo fell through the cracks. Our paint was stolen and our wall that we were going to paint was nonexistent.

And por fin the title of the blog is Classico de Magarito because all the time Magarito was late or just about anything Magarito did we would say "Classico de Magarito." Soon everything was classico de Magarito. "No te procupes es classico de Magarito"

I apologize again for the tardiness of my blog

Salud

Week Seven and Eight... and Nine: "How do you say sleeping bag in english?"

This blog as many to come is going to be very vague.

During the week I go to school. After school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday I have futbol practice.

Wednesdays by far are one of the most exciting days of the week. instead of getting out of classes at 2 pm or 3 pm we get out at 1 pm. Also I don't have futbol on Wednesdays. The Wednesday of week six my group of friends and first hung around after school. Then we went from a cafe to the Triangulo (which is one of Puebla's main malls) for sushi and a movie. The sushi was quite pricey but so good. We then watched the Vampire movie which is a spin off the Twilight series. It was pretty ridiculous but it was more about the company than what we do.

Then Friday I haad my first soccer game which we won and I actually played and didn't completely fail. Before entering the game I was so nervous. After the game some girls from the soccer team drove me back to the school and on the way I called my host parents. There was a slight mix up after the game when I forgot to meetmy host dad at the exit of the University instead of at my school. I always need to plan things in advance somewhat since I still don't have a cell phone which is quite an incovience. After I returned to my house I packed for the rotext weekend.

The next morning I had to meet at a grocery store to catch the bus. We had to be there at 8 am. However by 8 am my host parents had't woken up. I try to avoid these awkward situations. Such as knocking on your host parents door at 8am and saying "I'm late."

In time my host parents got up and my host dad drove me to the meeting place for the bus. Which of course wasn't there... since the weekend was run by rotex (or past exchange students) it might have been a little more disorganized but a little more fun.

We arrived Saturday afternoon later than expected since there was a mix up with buses. We were assigned rooms, dropped off our bags and then gathered for some activities. I unfortunately I forgot my camera so there is no record of these ¨interesting¨ activities. Saturday went by fast we had some free time just to spend as exchange students. In the nighttime we had a bonfire if you could call it that. It was so small and I doubt it put off any heat. I would like to mention that Mexico is not as hot as you think. Actually this entire weekend I was shivering.

Sunday we woke up earlier than wanted and ate breakfast and prepared for the day. I suppose this was the point of the whole weekend. The point was to climb Malinche. The only problem is the air is thin and your lungs can barely survive off the oxygen level. Provided that this isn´t a fact just my opinion. It took around 4 hours to climb to the highest point the group climbed to. I am proud to write I made it there. We had started with maybe around 50 people more or less and by the time we got to the top or close to it we had only 20 people maybe more. I am sad to say this is the second time writing this blog and it is by far less well written as the first. We climbed as high as we could factoring in the weather and lack of proper hiking attire. I would also not want to forget to rewrite that trails in Mexico are unlike trails i have hiked anywhere else. Usually trails are longer and not at steep. This was not the case with the trials of Malinche. They were steep. You should just believe me. Also after celebrating our victory, after taking photos and catching our breath we had to go down the Mountain. Which in involved ski stepping, tripping, falling, and running. It took at least 2 hours to climb or run or fall down the mountain. For the next week I was so sore. After we survived the climb and then the descending we ate lunch, packed our things and then returned to Puebla.

As normal Monday and Tuesday and Thurday i had soccer practice and then returned home to eat and found things to pass the time.

Wednesday after school I went to the shopping mall with my friends Ozge, Mariana and Stefy. We shopped and purchased some things and talked. I must say you are not going to understand this at all. But one of the highlights was eating lunch at Burger King. The theory is that you can be doing anything but with the right people it's enjoyable. Oh yeah not to mention the music at this Burger King was sweet, or tight, or enjoyable... I just couldn't think of the right adjective. In time Stefy and Mariana left and we were joined by another friend named Danny or Pedero, he has too many names and after that by another friend Edu. Then Edu left, and it was just Danny, Ozge and me. We had coffee and had there no way to write it right. But something along the lines of one of the best conversations in my life. It was honest and about things that mattered. Then Ozge left and soon after I left.

Friday after school I went with Danny and Ozge to Edu's house for lunch. The only problem in the plan was the pizza never came. Well I suppose it came eventually however extremely late. I must point out that pizza tastes better gratis or when it's free. After lunch we got ready to go out. We were going to a school party of sorts... we made ourselves all presentable and then we left. We were a little late but it wasn't a problem. It was a pretty good time. The music was pretty good and part of the time my friend's band played. The night was early and we left around 10 pm. After that we returned to my friend Stefy's house ate and watched a movie, which we fell asleep to quickly. It was an early night but it was simple and... I can't find the word to put here. We fell asleep to Alice in Wonderland and I personally slept very well. However that is a very unimportant detail. Okay so we slept and then woke up eventually. Stefy and I decided to make pancakes for breakfast but first had to go to the grocercy store. Along with pancake batter we also bought a chocalate bar to make chocalate pancakes. Yes sidenote it is hard to find chocalate chips in stores. We'll Stefy and I made the best strawberry and choclate pancakes. However they were too different kinds, not together. I returned home in the afternoon.

Sunday I did my laundry and cleaned up my room and passed the time. I did go to my cordinator's house to pick up my rotary allowance. After my host family and I went out to lunch. We ate chicken with rice and tortillas and salsas and vegetables. It was beyond good. Also there was a marachi group. I love marachi music, I am unsure why. After we went to Angelopolis (which is a mall if I have not already mentioned) for something camera related for my host sister. Then we went to a book store and i bought the Diary of Ann Frank in spanish. I think since attempting to read it I have determined I will never understand all of the book, but surprisingly I understand parts and it a good way to learn vocabulary. After that we went to walmart and then walmart again. I was so exhausted by the time we returned home.

This must sound repetitive but Monday and Tuesday I had soccer practice. Then Wednesday we had our second game. This time the game was at our school. We played the university team and it turned out to be a very aggressive game. We lost 2-0. I played maybe 10 minutes as right defense and again I wasn't completely horrible.

Thursday after school I went to my friend Mariana's house. I also accompanied her to get her nails done. After we walked to the Plaza of San Deigo. I find the simplest times and things make me the most happy. Walking down the street with a friend, going home early instead of staying out late, starting a game of hacky sack, I don't know. These things make me happy. Also Mariana and i split a crepe with cream cheese and blueberry jam. I hadn't eaten much that day and it was just... I can't find the words. Indescribable.

Friday after school I went with my friend Fer and Mariana to go buy painting supplies for our rural ecperience. Which I have not yet mentioned. Well... this upcoming week I will living in a poor Mexican community. This is a experience is provided by my school. All the third years or I suppose seniors go on this trip. We all must think of a project to teach or help the people.

My group I am not quite sure. However i think we are having the people paint a mural.

So anyhow, anywho, anyway... we went to the store and almost bought paint. Then Fer and I returned to the school to see if she had basketball practice. Well she didn't so we passed some time with Sarah and Edu. After Fer drove Edu home and Sarah to meet her host mom. After Fer and I went to Angelopolis and had lunch with Dad and little sister. After lunch we saw a moive. Which I am unsure of the title in English and in Spanish. It was in english with spanish subtitles. After we picked up Sarah and went to our friend Stefy's house for Mariana's birthday dinner. The food was delicious however I was so full from lunch I didn't eat much. We went to bed relatively late. I didn't manage to sleep much anyway since I was on the floor.

Saturday morning we woke up too early. We then delayed cleaning up from the dinner party by eating left overs and rice krispies. Eventually we washed the dishes. Which by the way there were way too many. The sink couldn't even fit all the dishes. We all took showers and got dressed and ready to go to Mariana's dad's ranch to celebrate again her birthday. We met at Angelopolis with our bags ready for the day. It took 3 cars to fit all the people and it wasn't a roomy drive. However it was only a little over a hour drive, thankfully. When we arrived we put our bags in Mariana's room and then proceeded to eat lunch. I ate "carnitas" which I later regretted eating after knowing a little more about them. We then passed the afternoon enjoying the nice weather, walking, talking, bouncing on the trampoline, swinging as well as other activities. I miss the open, I really do miss Cooperstown and the general area. I enjoyed most a walk back from the stable alone. It was sunny and I couldn't help but smile. These small things will make you the happiest. Later in the night people came and people went. We had a bonfire and roasted marshmellows and I must admit I lost "Fluffy Bunny" to my friend Sarah from Brasil. I have no idea what time I ended up going to bed. Again I made good friends with the floor. The only problem this time was I didn't even have a blanket. I ended up shivering under a coat that didn't even begin to do the same job as a blanket.

In the morning we all woke up again early. I wasn't the last person to go to bed and not the first but I think everyone was still tired. We cleaned up from the night before and then talked and listened to music as people took turns taking showers. It was beyond a group effort to put breakfast together. We ended up eating very late but it was nice to eat together. We ate quesadillas and eggs with ham and tortillas. But I ejoyed the company more than the food. We returned to Puebla around 2 pm. After I called my host parents who couldn't pick me up right away. I went out to sushi with Sarah and Carol who are both from Brasil. I know in this blog alone I went out twice for sushi but it is so good. After we tried to waste time to not leave Sarah alone. After Carol and I shared a taxi which first took me to my house and then Carol home. The first time we taxi we took from Angelopolis to the sushi restraunt my friends literally had me hide. Well it is obvious I am not Mexican and knowing this taxi's cost more for me. So after hiding I joined my friends. The phrase "I accept dollars" was used, in english. The next taxi driver was going to overcharge us until Carol talked to him. When I arrived home I packed once again to leave. My host family wasn't home yet so I enjoyed playing my radio a little too loud and packing my bag. When they arrived I talked to my host dad shortly and then continued packing.

I'm sorry this blog is going on a month late. I have all the time but never use it to write blogs. I'm sorry dear readers who are from across the globe. This past week I was actually living in a rural Mexican town as a school trip. However you will be hearing about that very shortly. Be patient.

Ahh yes the title. This blog is dedicated to my dear friend Fer who speaks english very well but not as well as my other friends. She was texting someone in english and caught somewere inbetween spanish and english. She then proceeded to ask the mass in english "How do you say sleeping bag in english" we all responded "sleeping bag."

Peace out

Mexico

La Bandera de Mexico

Un noche afuera

Fin de Semana de Rotex

Mas amigos

Mis amigos (o la mayoria)

Americana orgullosa

Los Americanos

Todos los estudiantes intercambios

Popocatepetl

Mi Casa

Entro del Catedral

Catedral de Puebla

Week Six: "So this is how you use a phone Alison"

This week to say in th least was a very eventful week. So prepare for the blog entry of your life or something close to it...

Monday and Tuesday I just had school... nothing specail. Except Tuesday after school since I forgot my soccer things and was unable to practice I made plans with two of my friends. So I went to subway with my friends Mariana and Stefy. Then after we went to Stefy´s house to watch the Prince of Persia. We had a very good time especially taking turns changing each other´s facebook status´. After I went home...

Wednesday was a very big day in Mexico for those who don´t know. Wednesday was the day of Mexican Independence from Spain. Plus this year was the 200th year of independence. I first went to the release of a book with my famiy (which was torturous) and then met my friends in the center of the city. We had a pretty big group of people which included at lest 5 rotary students and over 6 mexican students and we just explored the city.... after we caught a bus and we went to a restraunt of one my friend´s parents. We paid only 60 pesos for soup, pasta, meat and beans and a dessert. If you don´t know 60 pesos is a little under 5 dollars. Our group by then was a little smaller it was then only 6 people. After we ate I spent the night at the house of my friend Mariana. It was very nice becuase she had her grandparents over and we watched the celebration in Mexico City on the TV. We also had a very Mexican dinner. It was very relaxing and there was beauty in that. See the majoirty of the country was out partying and consuming large quanities of alcohol but Mariana and I had a good time with her family. I think we went to bed before 12 am and I don´t regret my choice. We did end up sleeping until 1 pm and then soon after I returned home.
Thursday I returned from Mariana's house and kinda just took care of things. I cleaned up my room, put away my clean laundry, took a shower and relaxed.
Friday I was supposed to go bike riding and then to the movies with my friends. However it rained so biking was cancelled. We then met at one of the many malls here in Puebla for the movies with what I thought was going to be a big group of people. It turned out to be Mariana (I should now take the time to say I have two friends named Mariana and I never say which one I'm talking about), Ozge (the girl from Turkey), Danny, Edu and Edu's cousin. Soon we were stuck seeing Resident Evil which was horrible. Not to mention Mariana left before the movie. The movie was pretty bad but the most exciting part was when this man and his family got up to leave becuase some teenagers were bothering them. But before he left he yelled at this group of teenagers apparently saying a lot of bad words. Then after he left he returned with security and tried to pick out the troublemakers. He then proceeded to yell some more. They actually stopped the movie however in the end no one got in trouble. It was quite the show. After the movie I went out with Danny, Edu and Edu's cousin. I must remind myself that going out is better with other girls more than with the guys.
Saturday I met my friend Fer at the mall with her sister. We then shopped around for a while for a new dress for her. We were celebrating her birthday Saturday night until Sunday morning since Sunday was her birthday. The odd thing was we kept setting off security alarms but only when we entered the store and only once each time. Fer and her sister might have been a little flustered but I thought it was so comical. After we found the dress we met up with some of Fer's sister's friends and then with our friend Stefy. Then we went back to Fer's house to get ready to go out. Us ladies got all dressed up. I mean the scandalous dresses and makeup completely not my style. Let me tell you that didn't mean anything to my friends who lent me a dress and attacked me with makeup. After all of us girls were ready (not forgetting to mention in time us 3 girls multipled to 8 girls or more) we went to a restraunt where we met Edu, Danny and Ozge. Just saying it was a huge group of people. Also other people came annd left... aka the brazilan exchange students. After I had the most scrumpleous (this may not be english) lasgana we paid of course and went out. This night let's just say was crazy. Maybe too crazy for words or stories. What you can know is that we arrived back at Fer's house around 5 am and of course we didn't go straight to bed. We ate some and talked and some people checked the computer. All in all I think we slept 4 hours and I slept less.
The downfall of this busy and eventful week was I was very sick. I had the worst sore throat in my life. I am concluding that it was a nasty Mexican sore throat. So I had a lof of trouble eating, drinking and sleeping. The pain was at times unbearable.
I returned home from Fer's around 4 pm and then just relaxed....
I should stop there since that is the end of the week however I don't want to leave you on a cliffhanger.
I am healthy again don't frieght. I didn't go to school Monday because I went to the Doctor's who prescribed me antibotics I think. He said I had a infection in my throat. As soon as I started taking the medicine it was amazing that my throat didn't hurt. Maybe Mexican sore throats are worse but the medication was instantaneous.
Also the title is becuase I've had a lot of trouble using Mexican phones. Some times it is just becuase the number I am calling the phone is off. After the movies I was callign my host dad or I should saying "nexteling him" which is much like a walkie talkie. My friends at the time who were all guys got a good laugh of watching me try to figure it out. Then explaining how to in unbearablely slow english how to do it. I just ended up having my friend Edu talk to my host dad. Nextel or walkie talkie phones are the big thing here. I personally don't like them. Not only becuase I am unable to use one but becuse I can't understand what people say via walkie talkie.
I felt like I should write something here. But was unable to think of anything.
Pip Pip

Week Five: "THAT´S WHAT SHE SAID!"

I have ofifically given up on writing in my journal. Hopefully (Ive tried a few times to word this right) my memory will hold up for all of your sakes.
This week has been the polar opposite of the majority of my time here in Mexico. It was a ideal week. I had school every day which I enjoy a lot. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday I had futbol practice after school which I love. I chose it as my sport because it a huge part of the culture in Mexico. I huge plus is that I have no friends on the team. See that sounds bad but it isn´t. None of my close friends are on the team I should say so I had to meet and survive a entirely new group of people. Also the team ranges from ages 15 I think to 18. No one cares that I am horrible at soccer. I enjoy all the running and drills and sit ups and push ups. Even working with a soccer ball I have a good time. Slowly ever so slwoly I am improving.
Okay so this is somewhat how school works for me. On Monday, Tuesday and Friday I get out of class a 2pm. On Wednesdays at 1pm and Thurdays at 3 pm.
This Wednesday I was invited by my friend Sarah from Brazil to go out for sushi. It turned out being a huge group of people. Around... 20 kids more or less. There were foregin exchange students from Brasil, Turkey and the U.S. Then rotex or people who previously went on rotary. Then just random students from my school. This was a very good time. I enjoyed both the company as well as the sushi. I had california rolls and then tried hot california rolls and then tried california rolls but with mago. After a few hours at the sushi restraunt many people went their seperate ways however I stayed out. We went various other places and in time in turned out it was only the Brazilian exchange students and me. This event occurs very often at rotary meetings and such. I don´t know how... so everything was in portugese and of course I didn´t understand. Eventually I made my way home...
Friday I was invited to go out by friends but I don´t want to overwhelm my host parents by going out too much. So I went out with my sister. We saw band play which was very enjoyable. They played both english and spanish songs. Including break your heart by Ludacris. (I thought of you Courtney)
Alll my tales are a little bit happier now that I have made friends. Which as you know from my last post having friends was still up in the air. I had half friends. I must say I have friends who are very nice and nothing like me. They aren´t the typical person you would see me with. I have never been one to exclude anyone from the general area around me however I usually tend to hang out with really relaxed and easy going people. My group of friends is a huge group of girls, yes girls, not guys but girls. They are very.... different from me. They do their hair and makeup and are girly. But I am happy... and I am friends with everyone here. This group is just my closer friends.
As a sidenote my friend Mariana made it possible one day this week at school during our break for me to go to walmart. I had told her I really wanted to buy peanut butter and netualla. The most popular sandwich here is ham. I destest ham. So I bought peanut butter and nutella to make sandwiches for lunch. Thank you Mariana! Also I eat the nutella when I´m hungry or bored. This may be why I gain weight here.
Saturday I was invited to the birthday party of one my friends. Her name is Brenda. (I thought I´d add that) The party was called why not. Why not go or dress up like a little kid. So he had to dress up like a kid or something a kid would dress up as. Such as superhero, princess, prince, and so on. Please don´t ask why becuase I haven´t figured out why but I brought one of my capes to Mexico. So I decided to dress as superhero. Before the party I went to my friend Mariana´s house to get ready with her and Ozge the girl from Turkey. In time my cape and tights went to a dress, flip flops, a cape, a bow a paper S on my chest. The party was a very good time. We ate, took lots of pictures, danced in the rain danced in the sunshine and then... as many of you don´t know it always rains here. This is a fact especialyl becuase I think it´s the rainy season. Well there was the slow aproaching rain cloud that of course no one worried about. Until about 25 people were taking cover in a very small party tent. Then when the wind blew the rain would fly in and get everyone wet. Whatever company made that party tent should know it doesn´t function in extreme rain and wind. As the rain increased and the wind the tent started to lift off the ground and proceed to break. The girls were the first to run. Everyone should know.... hmmm how to phrase this I don´t do everything girls do. I´m not afrain of the rain, or butterflies or things of these nature. However I did run soon after without screaming. Well we all ran to the cars. I was jammed into a car with 6 other people needless to say the car I got into was one of the smallest. So 7 girls soaking wet in a tiny car in the pouring ran. Then we went back to Brenda´s house. The windows were so foggy and it was still pouring. It was quite a adventure. I was so happy I so happened to have extra clothes with me. They weren´t the best but I was dry. I must of looked a little silly in running spandex and my borther´s shirt that reads "Be Cool". The night was so enjoyable. We had watery cake, sang happy birthday in 5 languages, did the traditional pinata breaking and ran for candy and soon I had to go home...
Today is Sunday. I am doing laundry well I was.... since almost all my clothes are dirty and going another week would be very hard and require much skill. Later in the day my sister asked me if I wanted to join her in selling tickets at the University. I must say that whole rotary thing where you have to say "yes" to everything is both a curse and a blessing (I forgot this saying and had to google it) I always say "yes" or "why not" which has led me to some good times and some not so good times. Such as today not selling tickets but sitting on a computer at UDLA the university that my sister studies at writing this blog. I should be at home finishing my laundry which I had only begun and taking a shower and doing my homework. But since I am a rotary student I say "yes" and every time I end up in the strangest and most comical situations.
Now that I´m heading into week six you should know I´ver had a lot of time to notice differences inbetween Mexico and the U.S. The U.S. has better roads, Mexican roads are to say in the least a little out of shape. There are many pot holes. Also since Mexican driving is so crazy there are topes or speed bumps every where to slow down traffic. Milk does not usually come in a plastic gallon jug. It comes in 1 liter cardboard cartons. Also milk is usualy not consumed cold it is kept in the pantry before opening so it is usually room temperature. Also most people buy milk in bulk and store it in the pantry. You should already know you can´t drink the water in Mexcio. Everyone must buy huge 5 gallon jugs of water for cooking and drinking. Eating is very different... meal times are this. Well in the week when I have school I wake up at 5:30am and then around 6:30am I am ready. I then eat breakfast then at school we have a break at 10:30am to 11:15sm where you can eat food or buy food to eat. Then after school lunch is usually aorund 3pm unless something interfers such as futbol practice. Dinner is usually around 9pm or 10 pm. On the weekend breakfast is around 9am or 10am. For breakfast in the school week I enjoy cereal, recently I have been eating corn flakes with banana however I also enjoy Zucaritas or frosted flakes. One the weekend we sometimes have eggs or eggs with ham or eggs with tomatos. At school I sometimes buy cantalope, chips, soda, graham crackers almsot anything. If I go out of the school for lunch the possibilities are endless. I´ve had tortilla with chicken and cheese or pork and cheese. For lunch we have soup (many different kinds), meat, vegetables it differs. And usually for dinner we have left overs or more cereal or sometimes sweets. (conchas are my favorite) The weather is also very different here. It can change from sunny to pouring rain very quickly. It is usually just never is a sunny day or rainy day. The clouds sometimes are very low. ´There are of course more but these are the ones I am choosing to share this week.
You should know things are becoming much easier. However I wouldn´t say everything from here on out is going to be the best. But it is going to be easier. Especially since I have begun to form a support system.
You stay classy Cooperstown (where the majority of my readers live)

And the title is from all my friends here. They all speak english fluently. So they enjoy pulling the joke "That´s what she said!" It is very American.